Insulin Could be Covered Under Medicare Part D

When it comes to your treatment for diabetes under Medicare you can’t get discouraged if you are first told that what you need is not covered. In some situations, like with supplies and medication for diabetes, it is possible that one part of Medicare will not cover the situation while another one will. Medicare Part D can step up and help you with much of what you need to take care of your condition of diabetes.

Medicare Part B doesn’t cover insulin (unless used with an insulin pump), insulin pens, syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, or gauze. This can be discouraging but your list of what is not covered then switches to where you can find coverage if you need it. Insulin and certain medical supplies used to inject insulin, such as syringes, gauze, and alcohol swabs, may be covered under Part D.

If you use an external insulin pump, insulin and the pump may be covered as durable medical equipment. This is good news as you will have to pay some money to care for your diabetes. In 2011, you pay your responsibility of 100% for insulin (unless used with an insulin pump, then you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount) and 100% for syringes and needles, unless you have Part D.